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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 11 12 Regular D Garbage Service Fees . COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM D CONSENT INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC HEARlNG REGULAR X 11/12/01 Meeting MGR. f1---- IDEPT ({J3 Authorization REQUEST: The General Services and Finance Departments request that the City Commission determine if any changes are warranted regarding the collection of garbage service fees during a customer's extended absence from his residence, such as vacation periods. . PURPOSE: This agenda item is to request a determination by the Commission regarding the city's current policy of collecting garbage fees on a continual, year-round basis, or should the policy be changed by ordinance to allow some form of forgiveness of those fees during periods of extended absence by the customer. CONSIDERATIONS: Casselberry Yes Lake Mary Yes Longwood Yes . Oviedo Yes Winter Park No Seminole County No 1. In May of this year, it was discovered that, without Commission approval or legislative authority, there has been a long-standing practice of forgiving garbage fees for residents on extended absences from home. That practice was stopped, and a resident has complained. 2. A survey was conducted among surrounding communities and Seminole County to determine their practices: Garbage Fees Under What Conditions and City/Seminole County Forgiven For What Period of Time Altamonte Springs Yes Must Coincide with Water Account Shut Off Period; Must Be for One Month or More (Same as Altamonte Springs) Upon Request; Customer Expected to Advise City Upon Return (Same as Lake Mary) (Same as Lake Mary) . November 12, 2001 City Commission Regular Agenda Item "D" 3. In Winter Park and Seminole County, residential garbage fees are based on an "availability of service" concept. This concept is behind the annual billing of garbage fees as part of the ad valorem property tax bill, which is an accepted and common practice in many cities and counties. 4. Where fees are forgiven during extended absences, nothing is lost or gained by the city or the customer because the garbage contractor bills the city based on a customer count. The city derives that count from actual billings that are issued by utility services personnel to the residents on a monthly basis. In Winter Springs, however, the contractor bills the city based on a Quarterly roll of garbage accounts, so an individual leaving on vacation within the first few days of a quarter would have fees forgiven during a period that the city still pays the contractor for collection. 5. Although we could tie forgiveness of garbage fees to the shut off of water service, we still have several garbage customers who do not receive water from the city, and there would be no way to monitor a customer's return. . RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Commission make a determination to continue the practice of charging garbage fees on a year-round basis, or make some provision for forgiving such fees during extended absences through the enactment of an ordinance which gives staff specific parameters and authority to act. FUNDING: Undeterminable at this time. A TT ACHMENTS: COMMISSION ACTION: .